U.S. patent number 4,212,308 [Application Number 05/864,388] was granted by the patent office on 1980-07-15 for parallel-flow one-way blood sampling device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Becton, Dickinson and Company. Invention is credited to Edward P. Percarpio.
United States Patent |
4,212,308 |
Percarpio |
July 15, 1980 |
Parallel-flow one-way blood sampling device
Abstract
A blood sampling device having two or more elastomeric one-way
valves in parallel configuration. The valves prevent backflow
towards the patient, but do not significantly decrease the blood
flow from the patient. The valves may be arranged side-by-side
within the device, or may alternatively be located one distally
from the other.
Inventors: |
Percarpio; Edward P. (North
Haledon, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Becton, Dickinson and Company
(Paramus, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
25343165 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/864,388 |
Filed: |
December 27, 1977 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/579;
137/512.1; 600/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/150053 (20130101); A61B 5/15003 (20130101); A61B
5/150221 (20130101); A61B 5/150251 (20130101); A61B
5/150389 (20130101); A61B 5/150496 (20130101); A61B
5/154 (20130101); A61B 5/150488 (20130101); Y10T
137/7839 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/15 (20060101); A61B 005/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/2F,218NV,218M,274,276,35V,DIG.5,762,763,764,765,766 (U.S./
only)/ ;137/512.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
490050 |
|
Jan 1953 |
|
CA |
|
947170 |
|
Jan 1964 |
|
GB |
|
497444 |
|
Mar 1976 |
|
SU |
|
Primary Examiner: Stouffer; Richard T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and
Kurucz
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for sampling a body fluid such as blood,
comprising:
a housing having a forward end and a distal end;
a first cannula secured to the forward end of said housing for
penetration of a fluid-containing vessel of a patient's body;
a second cannula secured to the distal end of said housing;
a first conduit within said housing, said conduit being in fluid
communication with said first and second cannulas;
a first one-way valve mounted within said first conduit;
a second conduit within said housing, said second conduit being in
fluid communication with said first and second cannulas; and
a second one-way valve mounted within said second conduit, said
first and second valves capable of independently and simultaneously
permitting downstream flow therethrough towards said second
cannula, said valves being aligned with each other along the
longitudinal axis of said housing, one of said valves being mounted
nearer the distal end of the housing than the other.
2. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein the valves are
elastomeric.
3. The invention as described in claim 2 wherein the valves are
duckbill check valves.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention concerns devices for taking samples of
body fluids such as blood, and in particular multiple sampling
needles having one-way valve assemblies to prevent backflow.
One-way valves, such as those of elastomeric composition, are
effective in preventing backflow, but it is often desirable to have
the fluid collected at a higher rate. Elastomeric valves restrict
fluid flow because of the restraint force caused by the elasticity
which maintains such valves in a normally closed position.
In blood-sampling needle assemblies utilizing singular elastomeric
valves, flow rate reductions (or fill time increases) can be 60% or
higher as compared with the use of no valve at all. For this
reason, medical personnel often prefer using the valveless assembly
even though there is the risk of some backflow. Because the blood
is commonly mixed with chemicals such as anticoagulants once it is
withdrawn, there is the possibility of these chemicals entering the
bloodstream.
Another problem associated with the use of blood-sampling devices
having only one valve is that failure of the valve will result in
no sample being withdrawn at all. This necessitates another
injection of the patient, which is inconvenient for both the staff
and the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the above background in mind, it is one of the primary objects
of the invention to provide a multiple sampling needle assembly for
the collection of blood or other body fluids which is both
economical and efficient.
It is another object of the invention to provide a sampling device
which allows the collection of body fluids at a faster rate than
presently available devices, and which also prevents backflow.
Still another object of the invention is to reduce the possibility
of failure of such a device due to the sticking of a valve.
These and other objects are accomplished by providing a needle
assembly having a plurality of one-way valves arranged in parallel
configuration. The device has a forward end adapted for penetration
of a fluid vessel within the body, and a means for supplying
negative pressure is provided for withdrawing the fluid towards the
rear end. A Vacutainer tube is suitable for serving as both a
collection container and the source of negative pressure. A
plurality of valves, arranged in parallel configuration, are
located between the forward end and the source of negative
pressure. In this manner, flow into the collection container occurs
at a higher rate than conventional devices employing only one
valve. Futhermore, the failure of one valve does not prevent a
sample from being taken, as flow will occur through the other valve
or valves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the device.
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the device shown in FIG.
1 as viewed from another side.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line
3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line
4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the body of another
embodiment of the device wherein one valve is located distally from
the other.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 5
taken along the line 6--6.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line
7--7 of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of the invention which is both
simple in construction and provides an acceptable flow rate.
One-way duckbill valves 10 and 12, made from rubber or any other
suitable elastomeric material, are mounted on surface 14 which is
adapted for accommodation of said valves. The valves and mounting
structure 14 are all contained within a housing assembly 16. A
holder 18 is attached to the forward end of the housing 16, and an
intravenous cannula 20 attached to the holder. Fluid communication
between the cannula 20 and the valves is provided by means of
chamber 22 which is located therebetween.
A second holder 24 is mounted to the opposite end of the housing
16, and a second cannula 26 is attached thereto. Fluid
communication is provided between the downstream ends of the valves
and the cannula 26 by means of a chamber 28. Whereas the needle 20
attached to holder 18 is used for penetration of one of the vessels
of the body containing fluid, the other needle 26 is adapted for
penetration of the resilient closure of an evacuated container.
The cross-sectional views of the device (FIGS. 3 and 4) show the
valves to be located side by side. The housing 16 is accordingly
elliptical in shape.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. One-way
valves 100 and 102 are arranged such that valve 102 is located
distally from valve 100. A smaller housing 104 may thereby be
utilized in the blood sampling apparatus, as evidenced in FIGS. 6
and 7. It is apparent from these figures that the valves are
positioned along the longitudinal axis of the housing, as are the
two cannulas.
Valve 100 is located within a first conduit 106, and valve 102
within a second conduit 108. The conduits must not be joined
between the two valves or backflow would be short-circuited around
the valves. The conduits are joined at a junction 110 where full
flow is obtained.
The invention functions in the same manner as conventional multiple
sampling needles, with the noted advantage of allowing a higher
flow rate than the conventional devices. The intravenous needle is
injected into a fluid-containing vessel of the body, such as a
vein. After venipuncture has been accomplished, an evacuated tube
30 is positioned such that its resilient closure 32 is punctured by
the cannula which extends away from the patient. Referring to FIG.
1, blood is drawn, respectively, through cannula 20, chamber 22,
valves 10 and 12, chamber 28, cannula 26, and into the evacuated
tube. A Vacutainer tube is well suited for use with the invention.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7 operates in a similar manner.
In successful applications of the invention, considerable flow rate
increases (up to 91%) have been found over conventional
single-valve assemblies. More than two valves may be used in
parallel to obtain further increases, but there are diminishing
returns in such embodiments.
The above description and drawings are illustrative of specific
embodiments of the invention, and other structures and uses of the
parallel valve assembly will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art. The scope of the invention is not limited to the
aforesaid embodiments, and should be interpreted in light of the
appended claims.
* * * * *